Class 12 Psychology: Psychologists and Their Contributions (Chapter-wise)

Understanding the contributions of important psychologists is essential for scoring well in CBSE Class 12 Psychology examinations and CUET UG. Many questions are directly based on theories, concepts, and researchers mentioned in the NCERT textbook.

In these chapter-wise notes, you will find a quick and easy-to-revise list of psychologists along with their major contributions and theories. These notes are designed to help students revise efficiently before board exams, school tests, and competitive examinations.

📚 Subject: Psychology (Class 12 NCERT)

🎯 Useful For: CBSE Board Exams, CUET UG, School Tests & Quick Revision


Why These Notes Matter?

✅ Covers all important psychologists and their contributions mentioned in the NCERT Class 12 Psychology syllabus.

✅ Helps in quick revision before CBSE Board examinations, school tests, and practical assessments.

✅ Useful for CUET UG preparation, where questions related to psychologists, theories, and concepts are frequently asked.

✅ Saves time by providing a chapter-wise compilation of key psychologists and their contributions in one place.


Let's begin the chapter-wise revision of important psychologists and their contributions.

Chapter 1: Variations in Psychological Attributes

  1. Alfred Binet – Proposed the Uni-factor Theory of Intelligence.
  2. Charles Spearman – Introduced the Two-Factor Theory.
  3. Louis Thurstone – Suggested the Theory of Primary Mental Abilities.
  4. Arthur Jensen – Gave the Hierarchical Theory of Intelligence.
  5. J.P. Guilford – Developed the Structure of Intellect Model.
  6. Howard Gardner – Proposed the Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
  7. Robert Sternberg – Introduced the Triarchic Theory of Intelligence.
  8. J.P. Das, Kirby & Naglieri – Formulated the PASS Model of Intelligence.
  9. Das & Naglieri – Developed Cognitive Assessment Systems (CAS).
  10. Binet & Simon – Introduced Mental Age (MA) and Chronological Age (CA).
  11. William Stern – Coined the term Intelligence Quotient (IQ).
  12. Terman – Studied Creativity and Gifted Individuals (IQ > 130).
  13. S.M. Mohsin – Adapted Binet’s Test in Hindi.
  14. C.H. Rice – Adapted Binet’s Test in Urdu and Punjabi.
  15. Mahalanobis – Adapted Binet’s Test in Bengali.
  16. Long & Mehta – Developed 103 Intelligence Tests for Indian context.
  17. Bhatia – Designed the Bhatia’s Battery of Performance Tests.
  18. Vygotsky – Emphasized the Cultural Basis of Intelligence.
  19. Passi, Baquer Mehdi & Guilford – Developed Creativity Tests.
  20. J.P. Das – Introduced concepts of Buddhi and Integral Intelligence.
  21. J.M. Ojha – Worked on Indian adaptation of DAT.
  22. Salovey & Mayer – Introduced Emotional Intelligence (EI).

Chapter 2: Self and Personality

  1. Hippocrates – Classified personality into Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Choleric, Melancholic.
  2. Sheldon – Proposed body types: Ectomorph, Mesomorph, Endomorph.
  3. Carl Jung – Introduced Extraversion vs Introversion and Analytical Psychology.
  4. Friedman & Rosenman – Identified Type A and Type B Personality.
  5. Morris – Described Type C Personality.
  6. Gordon Allport – Trait theory: Cardinal, Central, Secondary traits.
  7. H.J. Eysenck – Dimensions: Extraversion–Introversion, Neuroticism, Psychoticism.
  8. Raymond Cattell – Developed 16 Personality Factors (16PF) using factor analysis.
  9. McCrae & Costa – Proposed Five Factor Model (OCEAN).
  10. Sigmund Freud – Founded the Psychodynamic Approach.
  11. Karen Horney – Focused on Neo-Freudian female psychology.
  12. Alfred Adler – Proposed Individual Psychology.
  13. Erich Fromm – Emphasized social and humanistic concerns.
  14. Erik Erikson – Proposed Psychosocial Stages of Development.
  15. Carl Rogers – Developed Humanistic Personality Theory.
  16. Abraham Maslow – Proposed Hierarchy of Needs.
  17. McKinley & Hathaway – Developed MMPI.
  18. Mallick & Joshi – Developed Jodhpur Multiphasic Personality Inventory.
  19. Hermann Rorschach – Developed Inkblot Test.
  20. Morgan & Murray – Developed Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).
  21. Uma Chaudhary – Indian adaptation of TAT.
  22. Rosenzweig – Developed Picture Frustration Test (PFT).
  23. Pareek – Worked on Indian adaptation of psychological tests.

Chapter 3: Meeting Life Challenges

  1. Hans Selye – Father of stress research; proposed General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).
  2. Lazarus – Introduced Primary & Secondary Appraisal of Stress.
  3. Endler & Parker – Identified coping strategies:
  4. Task-Oriented Coping
  5. Emotion-Oriented Coping
  6. Avoidance-Oriented Coping
  7. Lazarus & Folkman – Proposed Problem-Focused & Emotion-Focused Coping.
  8. Meichenbaum – Developed Cognitive Behavioural Techniques and Stress Inoculation Training.
  9. Suzanne Kobasa – Proposed Hardiness (Stress-resistant personality).

Chapter 4: Psychological Disorders

  1. Plato, Hippocrates, Socrates – Early organismic approach to mental illness.
  2. Galen – Proposed Four Humour Theory of health and illness.
  3. St. Augustine – Early foundation of psychodynamic thinking.

Chapter 5: Therapeutic Approaches

  1. Joseph Wolpe – Developed Systematic Desensitisation.
  2. Albert Ellis – Founded Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT).
  3. Aaron Beck – Developed Cognitive Therapy for depression.
  4. Viktor Frankl – Proposed Logotherapy (search for meaning).
  5. Fritz & Laura Perls – Developed Gestalt Therapy (here-and-now awareness).

Chapter 6: Attitude and Social Cognition

  1. Fritz Heider – Proposed Balance Theory (POX Model).
  2. Leon Festinger – Developed Cognitive Dissonance Theory.
  3. Festinger & Carlsmith – Demonstrated attitude-behaviour consistency experiment.
  4. S.M. Mohsin – Proposed Two-Step Theory of Attitude Change.
  5. Richard LaPiere – Conducted Attitude–Behaviour Gap Study.

Chapter 7: Social Influence and Group Processes

  1. Tuckman – Stages of group development: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Adjourning.
  2. Irving Janis – Proposed Groupthink.
  3. Tajfel – Studied Social Identity & In-group Bias.
  4. Latane – Explained Social Loafing.

Final Revision Tip

Understanding psychologists and their contributions is essential for scoring well in Class 12 Psychology and CUET UG. Focus on connecting each psychologist with their theory, concept, and application for better retention and recall.

📌 Revise regularly and practice MCQs for mastery.

✨ Wishing you success in your CBSE Board Exams, CUET UG, and beyond!

— Team MissPsychd